A three-position push-pull switch assembly (100) is disclosed that includes two magnetic reed switches (152) mounted to a circuit board (122) located within the switch housing (104, 116). A magnet (130) is mounted to an actuator (114) that extends into the switch housing (104, 116) and is axially translatable from a center position to a pushed in position and a pulled out position. When in the center position, the two magnetic reed switches (152) are in a first closed-open operational state. When force is applied to the actuator shaft (128) to move it into the pushed­-in position, the reed switches (152) are in a second closed-open operational state. Similarly, when force is applied to move the actuator shaft (128) to the pulled out position, the magnetic reed switches (152) are in a third closed-open operational state. A detent mechanism maintains the switch assembly in the center position when the actuator shaft (128) is not being pulled or pushed away from that position and returns the switch assembly (100) to the center position after being switched to either the pushed in or pulled out positions to thereby provide momentary push-pull operation.